Match Review: Napoli VS Chelsea

Can Chelsea get past a Stubborn Napoli in the UEFA Champions League? This was the title I gave to my last article on the last sixteen match between Napoli and Chelsea. The statistics I provided in the article went against a Chelsea win. And that is exactly what happened between the Napoli and Chelsea match. Chelsea's poor season continues. Despite the fact that they are going through bad times they were supposed to go for a victory only and, probably, that is what cost them much.

If this was a Chelsea team of Jose Mourinho day's the match will be done and dusted after the first goal was scored by Juan Mata in the 27 minute from a defensive error by Napoli defender Paolo Cannavaro. The game started well. Napoli had some good chances to score in the earlier minutes. However, Chelsea were reluctant to stay back. They came forward also with some positive moves. However, Peter Cech had to make some outstanding saves for Chelsea to keep the scoreline level. Then, to everyone's surprise Chelsea scored! The commentators were talking about how the headline would be in tomorrow's newspaper about the match hinting a positive outcome for Chelsea. But they didn't know what was going to happen next.

Despite the fact that Chelsea went ahead and were in full control of the match for the time being, Napoli didn't stay back. In fact, it didn't take much time to take the advantage of defensive error and lack of harmony in Chelsea defense. Lavezzi scored in the 38 minute to score the first of his two goals for Napoli from outside the penalty box. He was given roam by Chelsea players and he made the best use of it. What turned terrifying for Chelsea is that Napoli went ahead in the 45 minute with the goal scored by inform striker Cavani. Chelsea were supposed to come back stronger in the second half. They did to be honest. But all went vain in front of a solid Napoli defense. On the other hand, in every counter attack Napoli seemed to be scoring another and they did in the 65 minute taking full advantage of Chelsea's defensive error once again. Someone might wonder what was going on!!!!!!! In fact, Chelsea were lucky not to concede more than three goals. Ashley Cole had to stretch his leg to clear a ball from the Chelsea goal line to prevent Napoli scoring their fourth of the night. Napoli had some other good chances also.

To sum up, the tie between Chelsea and Napoli is not finished yet. Of course, Chelsea have every possibility to win the tie if they can win at least 2-0 or 3-1 or 5-2 in the second leg of the match in Stamford Bridge. But they should not forget that Napoli have far better chances to reach the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League competition.

Can Chelsea Get Past a Stubborn Napoli in the UEFA Champions League?

This is not the right time for Chelsea to come head to head against a side that can incur serious damage to the English club. It is all but clear that they are not going to win the English Premier League. They are out of the Carling Cup tournament. Home game against Birmingham City in the FA cup was really poor. In fact, it seems they have forgotten how to win right now. Torres says, 'I cannot score'. Andre Villas Boas is not sure whom to choose - Torres or Drogba - in the first eleven for the away match against Napoli. Sturridge claims that there is still harmony in the team! But how much that's only we can imagine. In short, Chelsea are in real jeopardy.

Napoli, on the other hand, are in great form. Their main players are in great form also. In the UEFA Champions League, they won their last two matches quite convincingly against Manchester City and Villarreal respectively. In the Italian Serie A they are unbeaten in the last 4 matches that include two back to back victories in the last two matches. Whereas, Torres cannot find the back of the net, Edinson Cavani of Napoli is in the form of his life with 15 goals scored already in this season.


Having said all these, we cannot ignore the fact that UEFA Champions League is all about drama and entertainment. What we can do is only judge by recent happenings. To some people, it will be a huge surprise if Chelsea loose the match against Napoli no matter what Chelsea's current form is. However, Chelsea also have the chance to surprise the world by winning the first tie against Napoli if you take their recent form into consideration. To answer to the question of the title of the article, yes, Chelsea can get past Napoli. But only time will say if they can do it or not. Anything can happen. But my bet is - well, I can only say that after the match is finished. One thing that I can say is that I can't wait anymore for the quite intriguing match to start, can you?